Microphone technique and PA systems
How the PA works and how to avoid getting "feedback" (that wailing noise). Hands-on experience of adjusting the mic position and then (with encouragement) speaking to the room. Useful for musicians and other performers and public speakers, including people who've never tried speaking into a microphone before, and may be nervous about it.
"Very informative and useful"
"Very enthusiastic and lively presentation"
"Excellent class - can we do it again!"
Stagecraft & audiences
Are you being yourself on stage, or is it more like you're being an invented character? What's the "stage you" like, and how does it compare to the "off-stage you"? How do you think of your audience (e.g. as friends, as judges), and what do you imagine them thinking of you? What situations or thoughts can get in the way of "connecting" with your audience? Who is your ideal audience member?
We also discuss specific skills and traditions such as introducing songs, taking applause, dealing with unexpected things, etc.
"Investigating my stage character was interesting"
"A very good way of teaching us about receiving applause and stage presence."
Bass guitar for beginners
This works as either a taster or a series. In the taster, everyone gets a chance to play along to a simple bassline (easy enough for a complete beginner), and we look at the role of the bass in music, with examples. In the series, we learn more basslines and also do a bit more of the musical theory behind it.
Suitable both for people who have literally never held a bass guitar before, and for those who've tried it out a little bit already.
"Rock school" (playing in bands)
Varies depending on the participants' experience.
Music technology: Cubase sequencer software
Explanation of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), the format that all current sequencers are based on. Explanation of the principles behind sequencers. Hands-on experimentation in making up a song on the computer. Suitable for beginners.
* Besides the evaluations carried out by the people organising the training, I often ask participants to fill in a feedback form for me personally, saying which were the most and least interesting and useful parts of the workshop for them. This assists me in designing and fine-tuning future workshops. These quotes are from the "Any general comments" part of those forms.
Any questions, please write to:
| jennifer | @ | single | - | bass | . | co | . | uk |